China Keeps the Global Air Conditioning Machine Trade Under Its Thumb

Despite a small downturn in exports, China continued its dominance in the global air conditioning machine trade. In 2014, China exported 699 million units of air conditioning machines, totaling 9,963 million USD, 3% under the previous year. Its primary trading partner was Japan, where it supplied 14.5% of its total air conditioning machine exports in value terms, accounting for the largest chunk of Japan's total imports (88%).

From 2007 to 2014, China was a net exporter of air conditioning machines. Over the period under review, exports consistently exceeded imports in value terms. In physical terms, the difference was less pronounced due to significant fluctuation of prices.

Thailand and the U.S. were among the other leading global suppliers of air conditioning machines in 2014. However, the fastest growing exporters from 2007 to 2014 were Mexico (+11% per year) and China (+7% per year). Spain (-5%), Italy (-4%) and Germany (-2%) demonstrated negative dynamics over the period under review.

In 2014, China's top 5 trading partners were Japan, the U.S., Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, with a combined share 43% of China's exports. The share of Japan increased modestly (+6 percentage points), while the share of the U.S. illustrated negative dynamics (-6 percentage points).